Randomwire Moves To Tokyo

Usually at the beginning of each year I write a ‘new years resolutions’ post, but not in 2013 because the latter half of 2012 had been very stressful and I still wasn’t sure what the best way forward was. Now that the situation is clearer I’m happy to announce an exciting new chapter for Randomwire…

I’ve come a long way since moving to China in 2007/8 and have spent much of the last 5 years working my way southwards – from Beijing, to Shenzhen and most recently Hong Kong. Today I’m continuing my adventures in Asia, somewhere also close to my heart – Japan.

Forget the money because if you say that getting the money is the most important thing you will spend your life completely wasting your time. You’ll be doing things you don’t like doing in order to go on living, that is to go on doing things you don’t like doing, which is stupid.

For all the excitement involved in preparing to move countries there’s another gut-wrenchingly side which requires saying goodbye to friends and familiar places. I’ve had a great time living in China/Hong Kong and feel immensely grateful to all the amazing people I met there. I certainly wont be saying goodbye for good but now feels like the right time to try something new somewhere I’ve long wanted to go.

In China I’ve always regretted not learning the language properly, so as well as working on a number of client projects, I’ll be picking up Japanese language lessons again (after my last attempt in 2004) with the aim of learning enough for basic communication.

My base of operations for the next 6 months (at least) will be the heart of Tokyo, a stones throw away from Shinjuku. There are only three things I want to concentrate on during this time:

Originally from the UK, David is designer and wanderer currently based in Tokyo. Prior to this, he lived in China and still returns frequently to continue exploring this vast and varied land. He started Randomwire in 2003 to chronicle his travels and occasional musings. Feel free to drop him a line.

Wishing you all the best in your new venture David . Jealous much ! I’d love to have done this when i was younger … Now i have to settle with saving up and visiting every few years . You’re probably already familiar with these already ….. but areas of Tokyo that i’m particularly fond of are Yanaka and Shimokitazawa . Good Luck 🙂

Sounds fun. I was kicking around the idea of doing the teaching thing in Korea, to follow up my language studies and get a fresh take on the Asia thing. You’ll love it. Seems you’ve already caught the Japan ‘bug’.. Great move. The Rat Race, esp. in China, is overrated.

I discovered your blog just a week ago, but boy am I glad I did. Excited to know you’re moving to Japan! I’m not really surprised to see that video on this post; it always resonated so much with me.

I will (hopefully) finally have the chance to make the trip of my dreams and go to Japan this summer for 3 weeks. Who knows maybe we can meet then, and you can share some must-see, well kept secrets of the land of the rising sun.

This is great news! I wish you best of luck for your life in one of Asia’s most awesome cities. I hope I have the chance to visit Tokyo this year, however with a newborn baby now I’m not sure. I’d love to see the cherry blossoms, though. In case I can’t be able to visit I’m sure your blog will provide enough visual delights that will keep me happy 🙂

Congratulations David. You are an inspirational role model to Ella and Michael (and to me!). I loved the Alan Watts video – hadn’t seen that one before.
Hope you have a fabulous 6 months+. Looking forward to reading all about it.

Hi Cody – so far so good. The language course was pretty intense but worthwhile and now I’m on the lookout for a new job so that I can stay here longer. Contrary to what some people had told me, Tokyo is a surprisingly livable city with so much going on which is very exciting!